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It’s not unusual in business to be so overwhelmed by what we have to do today, that potentially big opportunities go unnoticed. These spots to take advantage of opportunities are generally fleeting. If you did note a situation, developing a strategy, getting it approved and executing, isn’t a quick or easy process.

While remaining strategically competitive is a necessity, the opportunity to do so might not even be on your the radar during your last planning session (more about why you should not have planning sessions later). And when it does appear, if the opportunity is spotted, it will undoubtedly require quick action. Very few companies are ready to deal with this reality. Unless they’re a startup.

A big part of the reason for this is culture. Startups and tech companies are culturally suited for maximizing these spots. Their success depends on it.

they are comfortable and used to acting quickly,

they operate in a chaotic atmosphere

they are willing (even embrace) taking risks including an acceptance of the possibility of failing.

When you detect an opportunity for your company, but don’t seriously consider it because you know acting quickly and definitely wouldn’t be possible, think about how a startup might react. What might you do if anything were possible? And what’s the worse thing that could happen if you did it? Or better yet to consider, what’s the worst thing that could happen if you did nothing?